Arkansas quarterback Brandon Mitchell, who lost the spring quarterback battle with Brandon Allen, has requested and been granted a release from the Razorbacks’ program, coach Bret Bielema announced.

Mitchell is one of four players who have granted releases. The others include defensive lineman Austin Flynn, defensive back Defonta Lowe and receiver Keante Minor. Flynn was arrested and charged with drunk driving, and his departure does not come as a surprise.

The same cannot be said of Mitchell, who competed with Allen and leaves the Hogs dangerously thin behind Allen.

“Through meetings with these student-athletes, a determination was made that it would be mutually beneficial for them to pursue their goals elsewhere,” Bielema said in a Monday press release. “We fully support them and wish them all the best moving forward.”

Mitchell, Bielema said, will graduate from Arkansas and will immediately eligible to play elsewhere on the FBS level. He was Tyler Wilson’s backup in 2011, but last year moved to receiver.

Minor was a punt returner for Arkansas the past two seasons and Lowe played in four games as a true freshman in 2012.